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The spotlight of the Sochi Olympics could provide a pivotal moment for the gay rights movement in Russia, human rights advocates believe. But after the bobsledders and speed skaters leave town, and the global spotlight recedes, will the fight for equality continue?

A movement called Uprising of Love, which will launch its initiatives today, plans to support Russian organizations working for long-term change in the status and treatment of the LGBT community. Today is International Human Rights Day.

Uprising of Love's mission is to give Russian LGBT activists a voice, and provide the financial resources those groups need to roll back legislation that penalizes anyone who spreads "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations" to minors.

On Monday night in New York City, a coalition of celebrities held a fundraiser for the Russia Freedom Fund in which Melissa Etheridge, a co-founder of the group, performed her new song, Uprising of Love.

Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, the group's co-founder, called it a "rockin'" song. The coaltion also includes celebrities such as Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, James Franco, Edward Norton and Julianne Moore.

After recently returning from Russia, where Black screened his award-winning movie Milk at a LGBT film festival, Black believes change can come to the country that passed its anti-gay law in June.

During the screening, the film was interrupted several times by bomb threats, as the audience repeatedly had to leave the theater and wait in the snow before it was deemed safe to return, Black said.

"First and foremost, it was a beautiful experience," Black told USA TODAY Sports on Monday. "The people were amazing and joyful, full of bravery and strength."

Black doesn't have plans to return to Russia for the Olympics – he thinks it conflicts with the Sundance Film Festival – but as a life-long fan of the Olympics, he knows the power of sports.

The Games are often remembered for iconic gestures, from Usain Bolt's lightning stance to the black-gloved salute on the medal stand. Whether it's rainbow-painted fingernails or a same-sex kiss on the podium, Black believes the Sochi Games might be remembered for such a gesture.

"How it will happen or who will do what?" Black said.

Beyond his activism and his art (he also wrote and directed Virginia starring Jennifer Connelly), Black has been in the news for his personal life.

According to wide-spread reports in British newspapers, Black, 39, is dating British Olympic diver Tom Daley, 19, who revealed last week on YouTube that he has been dating a man since the spring.

In his first interview since Daley's announcement, Black declined to address the speculation. Daley has not identified Black either, but discussed his relationship on the Jonathan Ross Show on Saturday. Daley said they met through mutual friends.

When Black was asked about the difficulty a prominent gay athlete might face coming out, he laughed and said, "Sneaky question."

At some point in American (and British) society, an athlete who announces he's gay may induce a yawn, but not just yet, Black said. Daley's announcement was global news.

"If you're gay and lesbian you always have to come out because you're in the minority," Black said. "We hope at a certain point it's not headline news. That it's like being a gay writer in Hollywood. No one cares."